In-ho grunted softly, sitting up on the surprisingly high bunk bed. He looked down at himself, raising an eyebrow at the teal-ish green tracksuit he now wore. He wasn’t wearing that when he got in the van. Did somebody strip him?? He looked around to see about over four hundred other people — all young, middle-aged, and older — in the same kind of track suits, just with a different number on their jacket. He noted the number on his was 132.

He slipped out of the bed, rubbing his eyes as he descended the stairs in between the several bunk beds that loomed overhead. He stopped in the middle of the room with hundreds of other people as the steel doors at the front of the room slid open to reveal numerous stiff standing guards with hot pink jumpsuits and black mask. The one in the centre had a square on his mask and the others had circles. The crowd of people around In-ho were murmuring and whispering to one another.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to you all.” The square-masked man announced authoritatively, standing before all of the circle-masked guards. “Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize.”

The guard then held up a remote and pushed a button, making the lights dim and an uncannily large piggy bank descend from the tall ceiling to hang overhead. Everyone, including In-ho, craned their necks to look up while a cartoonish sound played with every stack of cash thrown into the opaque piggy bank. Once the bank was almost full to the brim, the numbers showed up on the digital screen. 45.6 billion won. Almost everyone let out an audible gasp, their jaws slack and their eyes as wide as saucers. That was enough money to be set for three lifetimes! He needed this. For his wife. For his baby… for his family.

Later, the players all formed a line to collect their breakfast. A small metal lunch box with rice, kimchi, vegetables and a fried egg on top. He sat down on the steps leading to his bunk and began to eat.